Carmine Campo was born on January 11, 1927 in Port Jervis, New York, the son of Salvatore and Rose Campo. Later that year, the family moved to the Belmont area of the Bronx, where Carmine currently resides. Carmine attended P.S. 32, M.S. 45 and Manhattan Aviation High School. In 1945, he was drafted into the Army and served in Germany for two years.

Upon discharge from the Army, he returned to New York and began his community career in Belmont. Throughout his years of community service, Carmine was active in various civic associations, including the Belmont Community Center and The Council of Belmont Organizations (COBO) where he assisted other local community members and leaders in organizing neighborhood events, provided social support, and planned group activities. In addition to serving as an officer of the Royal Arcanum, he also currently serves as a member of the parish council for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Since December 2000, Carmine has been an active member of the Belmont Arthur Avenue Local Development Corporation.